affiliation

noun

af·​fil·​i·​a·​tion ə-ˌfi-lē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce affiliation (audio)
plural affiliations
: the state or relation of being closely associated or affiliated with a particular person, group, party, company, etc.
The radio station has maintained a longtime affiliation with the concert hall and often has featured performers as guests on the air.
A former Democrat, Joseph McCarthy had switched his affiliation and was elected in the Republican landslide of 1946 …Ted Widmer
… hundreds of businessmen owe their success to an affiliation with organized crime.William Bastone

Examples of affiliation in a Sentence

the Little League team, despite its name, the Northern Dynamites, has no affiliation with the Northern Dynamite Company
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nir Kshetri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025 Robinson had no party affiliation and didn’t vote in the two most recent elections, voter registration records show. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 The quality of candidates should be at least as important as their party affiliation. Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 While authorities have not yet determined a motive, speculation and misinformation about the shooter's identity and affiliations have spread rapidly online, creating a climate of uncertainty. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affiliation

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of affiliation was in 1791

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Cite this Entry

“Affiliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affiliation. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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